Unicycle.



nu; 684,328. Patented ont. s, |901. n. F. wATsuN.

' U N l CY C L E.

(Application med su, s, 1901.)

(No Model.)

.wr'nnlllll IIIIIIIII UNITED STATES PATENT OFEioE.

DANIEL F. VATSON, OF ORONOGO, MISSOURI.

UNICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,328, dated October 8, 1901.

Application iiled January 28, 1901. Serial No. 45,083. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, il; may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL F. WATsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oronogo, in the county of Jasper and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Unicycles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to uuicycles adapted to travel upon an elevated track or way, and the object of the invention is to provide a device of this character of simple and inexpensive construction which may be readily maintained in upright position upon a singlerail track and propelled by the feet of the rider.

The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, and its novel features will be defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a unicycle embodying the invention in position upon a single-rail track. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine supported upon a rope or cable.

The reference numeral 1 designates a Wheel the periphery 2 of which is grooved, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, to adapt it to iit upon a rail 3, as shown in Figs. l and 2, or a rope or cable 4, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The frame of the machine comprises a U- shaped yoke provided at its lower end with diverging arms G and 7, and a fork 8, the lower ends of which are formed integral with or are connected rigidly to the sides of the yoke 5. From the upper end of the fork S is a head 9, carrying the handle-bars 10, and from the upper end of the yoke 5 projects a support 11 for a seat 12. The frame is formed with bearings for the crank-axle 13 of the maohine,said axle being equipped with crankpedals 14. The lower ends of the diverging arms 6 and 7 are each formed with a plurality of openings 15 to permit of the adjustable attachment thereto of weights 16. Each of the weights is formed with a hook 17, adapted to engage the perforations 15.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the rail 3 is supported upon a trestle comprising vertical supports 18, inclined braces 19, and a horizontal beam 20. The braces 19 are inclined at a slightly less degree than the diverging arms 6 and 7, and this greater inclination of the diverging arms permits the machine to round curves in the track without tilting.

The utility and operation of the improvement will be readily understood from the illustration in the accompanying drawings, but may be described as follows: The weights 16 being projected laterally on either side of` the track and in front of' a vertical line drawn through the crank-axle of the machine will counterbalance the weight of the rider upon the seat and permit the propulsion of the wheel through the medium of the pedals 14.

As shown in Fig. 3, instead of employing the rail and track structure shown in Figs. l. and 2 the machine may be supported upon a rope or cable 4, suspended upon suitable uprights 21.

The adjustability of the weights 16 permits a change in their location to adapt the machine for the use of different riders.

I claiml. A unicycle comprising a grooved Wheel,- a frame consisting of a yoke mounted on the wheel and having diverging arms extending beneath the wheel, and weights secured to the arms.

2. A unicycle comprising a frame consisting of a yoke having diverging arms, and a fork secured to said yoke; a crank-axle supported in bearings of the frame; pedals on said axle; a grooved wheel mounted on the axle; Weights secured to the diyerging arms; a seat carried by said yoke; and a handle-bar arranged upon said fork.

3. A unicycle comprising a frame consisting of a U-shaped yoke having diverging arms; and a fork secured to said yoke; a crank axle supported in bearings of the frame; a grooved wheel mounted on said axle; and adjustable weights secured to the outer ends of said diverging arms.

4. The combination With a track structure provided with oppositely-inclined braces; of a unicycle provided with oppositely-inclined arms, the inclination of said arms exceeding IOO that of the inclined braces; and Weights secured to the ends of said arms.

5. 'A unicyole comprising a frame consisting of a U-shaped yoke; arms dverging therefrom and formed with perforatios and a fork seeured to said yoke; a, crank-axle mounted in bearings of the frame; 'a grooved- Wheel mounted on said axle; and weights provided with hooks for adjustably securing t them to the divergng arms.

In testimony whereof 'I affix mysgnaturo 'Y in presence of two Witnesses.

DANIEL F. VATSON.` Witnesses:

vHUGH M. STERLING, GEORGE ACKMAN. 

